In Ancient Babylon there was a Temple of learning where the wisdom of the past was taught by voluntary teachers and where all men met as equals to discuss subjects of interest.

One day a cloth weaver told everyone that he found a purse with money.  He wanted to know if there is a way to attract more good luck.  One man reconed the gaming tables (gambling) may be the way to go, while another suggested betting on horses.

Arkad replied that the goddess of good luck is a goddess of love and dignity who reward those who are deserving.  If you work hard, she will favor you. But at the gaming table the odds are always against you and in favor of the game keeper.

An older man stood up to discuss those cases where luck was within your grasp, only to see it escape.  He told the story of how he was offered a great opportunity to invest in a profitable business when he was very young. He turned the opportunity down because he felt that he had many other things to buy instead.

Another man also told his tale.  He was offered a huge flock of sheep at a bargain price by a desperate man who wanted to return to his sick wife.  It was late at night and it was difficult to count the sheep in the dark, so he tried to postpone payment until morning. But when the city gates opened at daybreak, there were many other eager and willing buyers and the farmer were offered almost three times the price he would have sold his cattle for the night before.

We call this poor judgement or stubbornness and think up a million excuses.  But it is actually just a habit of needless delaying when prompt and decisive action is required. Most of us hesitate, falter and fall behind.  But with determination we can conquer the spirit of procrastination within us, so that we too can share in the wealth of Babylon.

Luck is not something that happens to us without our own efforts.  Good luck is something we attract to our self by taking advantage of our opportunities.  Opportunities are not perfect.  Take them anyway.

Men of action are favored by the goddess of good luck

References

George S. Clason, The Richest Man in Babylon, First Published in 1926.  Free eBook distributed by BizBuildersUSA.org